Welcome to Day 8 where we discuss the danger of unforgiveness hatred and consequence of vegneance.
Key Scripture: 2 Samuel 13:1-39, Esther 3:1-6, Genesis 25: 19-34
Devotional Insight: Anger, offenses, revenge are destructive trio that
When We Want Revenge over God’s Righteous Judgment
Amnon did the abominable. He raped his half sister, Tamar contrary to God’s Word Leviticus 18:11. The King David said nothing and did nothing. That silence may have provoked Absalom who silently plotted his revenge.
When leadership does nothing about justice, the people take laws into their hands.
Revenge is a brutal beast.
So Absalom prepares a deceitful party to get Amnon then he strikes.
He never gave any signals. No hint whatsoever. And Amnon falls right into his trap.
Journal Prompt
Have you ever being a victim of revenge?
Have you planned one out yourself?
Absalom held it back.
He never healed from his brother’s hurt.
He never forgave.
The truth is you never really feel better after revenge.
Absalom got more than bargained. Soon he began to nurture strange ambitions of taking over the leadership of Israel. Perhaps to get at his father. We see a cascade of events from Ahitophel’s suicide because his plans weren’t accepted, to the death of the young man Absalom.
You never know which way revenge would go. It keeps going down the spiral slope of destruction. It consumes and spreads like wildfire.
Journal Prompt
How do you handle injustice done to you?
How do you manage offences?
Speak of hatching a revenge plans, Haman nurtured his hatred on Mordecai and perfected his plan on the heads of the Jews.
Notice how hatred for one man equated the extermination of thousands of others.
Hatred begins with a tiny seed wrapped in anger.
You see Haman got pride and ego issues. Something about his big-headed behaviour must have ticked off Mordecai. More verses reveal the character of Haman. He was called the enemy of the Jews. Compare that with the humble fatherly nature of Mordecai, his zeal to protect his people, and the boldness to speak in the face of evil.
Handling offenses, who we speak to about our aching heart can lead us down the path of doom or restore us on the road to freedom and forgiveness.
Like Haman, whose wife and friends supported his evil plan to build gallows Esther 5:10. The same gallows was made for him and his sons Esther 7:10, 9:10-14
Here we are again at how we handle offenses.
Esau traded his birthright. Jacob seized an opportunity his mom spotted. Esau sought his brother. Unhappy. Bitter. Angry. Seeking vengeance.
Sometimes we throw away what is rightfully ours. We throw away something valuable because we looked down on it.
When Esau realized what his birthright was worth, he came seeking it.
What you don’t value, you lose. No need beating around the bush or trying to get someone take the hit for what we carelessly lost. Same trait we see in Cain. Not wanting to take full responsibility instead he chooses to hate his brother to the point of murder.
When fail to take responsibility for our own choices other people get in the middle of the crossfire. In future studies, we will follow Jacob’s path to seek reconciliation and restoration.
Journal Prompt
How many times do we pick offence on where we had fallen instead of learning and correcting our wrong?
How do we then manage offences?
How do we start to take responsibility for our choices without transferring aggression on someone else?
Do you sift for the truth in the midst of offences?
A little word about Peter and his question on forgiveness; We see Peter’s mistakes and are able to draw a thing or two about his person. Peter had little patience for oppression, like cutting off the guard’s ear when they came to arrest Jesus at Gethsemane.
Peter, like you and me, struggle with forgiving difficult people in our lives.
Then Peter came to Him and said, “Lord how often shall my brother sin against me, and I forgive him? Up to seven times?” Jesus said to him, I do not say to you, up to seven times, but up to seventy times seven. Matthew 18:21-22 NKJV
The 70×7 rule is heavy. It reflects the heart of God for His children and how we too must show grace we have received to others too. God’s grace is available in difficult matters.
We have the choice to forgive and let God heal us.
Words of Affirmation.
I choose to forgive.
I choose to walk in forgiveness and love.
Action Plan.
Weigh the offenses you have taken to heart. Are they worth the attention you give them?
Deciding to act on anger leaves the outcome to numerous options. Count the cost!
Focus on learning and growth.
Let go of little things that easily offend you. Focus on joy-filled living through forgiveness and patience.
Prayer:
Dear Father thank you for your Word for my life today. Forgive me for hanging on to offenses and selfishly walking in vengeance. Lord take away any seed of hatred I have conceived against my brother or sister. Help me to forgive, love and grow in Jesus name.
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